Ch 1
Ch 1
Ch 1
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Ch 1 Introduction to System Concepts
Content:
1.1 Definition
1.2 Basic Components
1.3 Elements of the System
1.4 Types of System
1.5 System Characteristics
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Introduction:
The Word ‘System’ means different things to different things to different people.
A system is a group of interrelated components working together towards a
common goal, by accepting inputs and producing outputs in an organized
transformation process.
The interrelated components which are systematically arranged to form a system
are called subsystems.
In simple words, system is a set of elements which operate together to
accomplish an objective.
Systems may be physical, like the sun and its planets; biological like the human
body; technological, like an oil refinery; and socio-economic, like a business
organization.
In everyday life, we talk of education system, computer system, solar system,
transportation system, communication system, the body’s nervous system,
weapons system, accounting system, production system and so on. 3
1.1 Definition:
A System is an integrated collection of components which satisfy function
necessary to archive the system’s goals and which have relationships to one
another that give cohesion to the system and define its structure.
System can be defined as a group of interrelated or interacting elements
forming a unified whole.
It may be either physical or abstract.
An abstract system is an orderly arrangement of interdependent ideas or
contracts.
But a physical system is defined as a set of elements which operate together to
accomplish a goal; it is made up of objects such as land, building, machines,
people and other tangible things.
A system can also be understood as an organized or complex whole, an
assemblage or combination of things or parts forming a complex or unitary
whole.
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General Model of System
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1.2 Basic components:
Every system has a set of interrelated elements or basic components.
The basic components are simply the various identifiable parts of a system.
They are the moving parts of system.
Thus the basic components may be men, materials, machine, information,
concepts or energy.
For eg:
Input: Inputs are the information that enters into the system for processing.
Output: The main objective of a system is to get an output which is helpful for its
user. Output is the final outcome of processing.
Process: Process is defined as the activity that makes possible the
transformation of input to output.
Components: An irreducible part or aggregation of parts that makes up a
system; also called a subsystem.
Interrelated components: Dependence of one part of the system on one or
more other system parts.
Boundary: The line that marks the inside and outside of a system and that sets
off the system from its environment.
Purpose: The overall goal or function of a system.
Environment: Everything external to a system that interacts with the system.
Interfaces: Point of contact where a system meets its environment or where
subsystems meet each other.
Constraints: A limit to what a system can accomplish.
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1.4 Types of System:
In General, systems fall into a number of categories.
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Man – Machine System:
Normally, most of the artificial systems are man – machine systems.
A motor car is a machine system. But motor-car cannot work without a person.
Computer system is machine system. Information system is a man-machine,
relatively closed and deterministic system.
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ORGANIZATION:
This implies structure and order.
It can also be defined as the arrangement of components that help to achieve
objectives.
For example, Hierarchical system in a company.
INTERACTION:
This shows the manner in which each component functions with other
components of the system.
It specifies there should be an interrelationship between every component of a
system.
For example, the main memory holds the data that has to be operated by the ALU.
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INTERDEPENDENCE:
This means the components of a computer system depend on one another.
Each component should depend on other components of the system.
One component depends on the input of another component for proper functioning.
The output of one subsystem is the required input for another subsystem.
For example, A decision to computerize an application is initiated by the user,
analyzed and designed by the analyst, programmed and tested by the computer
operator.
None of the persons can perform properly without the required input from others in
the computer center subsystem.
INTEGRATION:
It is concerned with how a system is tied together.
It is more than sharing physical components or locations.
It means that components of the system work together within the system even though
each component performs a unique function. 14
CENTRAL OBJECTIVE:
Systems always have a central goal.
These goals may be real or stated.
The important point is that users must know the central objective of a computer
application early in the analysis for a successful design and conversion.
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